Crossroads Grille opens in Horse Shoe

Published: Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 7, 2014 at 9:19 p.m.

HORSE SHOE — The owner and head chef of Crossroads Grille discovered his passion for cooking at a young age, but just recently realized his dream of owning and managing a restaurant that dishes up his very own recipes.

James Wilson opened his new restaurant at 4165 Brevard Road in Horse Shoe at the end of February, after years of working at other establishments. Most recently, he was the head chef at Black Rose Public House in Hendersonville.

“I've managed and cooked in several restaurants for other people and other companies for 18 years,” said Wilson.

His interest in the food service industry was sparked when he started cooking for his three older brothers while their single mother was out working one of two jobs.

“I realized that cooking was my passion when I was about 10 years old,” said Wilson.

His first job at age 14 was as a busboy and dishwasher, but Wilson said he would go home and experiment with recipes on his own.

Now Wilson is serving dishes such as Jamaican snapper with Jamaican sweet potatoes, salmon platters and more traditional American fare such as burgers, pork chops and steaks to his customers in Horse Shoe — which Wilson said was in need of a “sit down” community restaurant.

“I figured it'd be a good location because there really wasn't our type of restaurant in the area of Horse Shoe or Etowah,” he said. “The location was really asking for a decent family restaurant.”

Crossroads Grille serves lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and is open for all three meals Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The restaurant will begin serving beer and wine this month, and hopes to serve liquor by June.

<p>HORSE SHOE — The owner and head chef of Crossroads Grille discovered his passion for cooking at a young age, but just recently realized his dream of owning and managing a restaurant that dishes up his very own recipes.</p><p>James Wilson opened his new restaurant at 4165 Brevard Road in Horse Shoe at the end of February, after years of working at other establishments. Most recently, he was the head chef at Black Rose Public House in Hendersonville.</p><p>“I've managed and cooked in several restaurants for other people and other companies for 18 years,” said Wilson.</p><p>His interest in the food service industry was sparked when he started cooking for his three older brothers while their single mother was out working one of two jobs.</p><p>“I realized that cooking was my passion when I was about 10 years old,” said Wilson.</p><p>His first job at age 14 was as a busboy and dishwasher, but Wilson said he would go home and experiment with recipes on his own. </p><p>Now Wilson is serving dishes such as Jamaican snapper with Jamaican sweet potatoes, salmon platters and more traditional American fare such as burgers, pork chops and steaks to his customers in Horse Shoe — which Wilson said was in need of a “sit down” community restaurant.</p><p>“I figured it'd be a good location because there really wasn't our type of restaurant in the area of Horse Shoe or Etowah,” he said. “The location was really asking for a decent family restaurant.”</p><p>Crossroads Grille serves lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and is open for all three meals Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.</p><p>The restaurant will begin serving beer and wine this month, and hopes to serve liquor by June.</p><p>Reach McGowan at 828-694-7871 or molly.mcgowan@blueridgenow.com.</p>